“Drivers felt isolated because bosses were ringing them up saying they should work on their days off,” said the Unite member.

“And they threatened non-union members with breach of contract if they didn’t cross the picket line.”

At Wythenshawe bus depot in south Manchester trade unionists brought solidarity, including a financial collection from Unison children’s services branch.

Four days of strikes in the busiest shopping week of the year is a serious escalation—and the bosses are getting nervous.

Arriva North West management are keen to discredit the strikers. They’ve been posting on social media that strikers plan to walk out on 10 December—which is a derby day for both Merseyside and Manchester football clubs.